Growth of Wool Follicles in Culture

February 1994 in “ In vitro cellular & developmental biology. Animal ”

J. J. Bond, Peter Wynn, George H. Brown, George T. Moore

wool follicles Williams’ E medium insulin hydrocortisone DNA synthesis keratin synthesis

TLDR Wool follicles can grow in a lab with the right nutrients and conditions.

The study developed a method to culture isolated wool follicles from 2-year-old Merino sheep wethers, achieving fiber growth rates of 40-80 µm/day in Williams’ E medium with supplements. Insulin and hydrocortisone at specific concentrations stimulated growth, but higher doses were inhibitory. The follicles maintained structure and showed active DNA and keratin synthesis for up to 7 days, enabling the study of direct effects on wool keratin synthesis independent of systemic metabolism.

View this study on link.springer.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

1 / 1 results

research Hair Growth Induction: Roles of Growth Factors

44 citations, December 1991 in “Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences”

EGF and FGF help hair growth by affecting cell differentiation and fiber growth.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 9 results

community Oral min 2.5mg daily 2 month update 🦍

in Satire 826 upvotes 1 year ago

The post and conversation are about the user's experience with oral minoxidil for hair loss. Some users noticed increased hair density, while others experienced unwanted hair growth in different areas of the body.

community If people technically have hair follicles all over their body with baby hairs, why is regrowing hair so difficult to do?

in Chat 8 upvotes 4 months ago

Hair loss treatments are difficult because hair follicles react differently to hormones and have varying growth cycles. Treatments mentioned include Minoxidil, finasteride, and RU58841.

community DIY treatment... Shedding completely stopped after 1.5 yrs

in Treatment 246 upvotes 2 years ago

Vitamin C mixed with shampoo stopped shedding and promoted hair regrowth after 1.5 years. Both the person and their wife experienced significant hair loss reduction with this method.

community 1.5 years fin plus almost 3 years min, I think I’ve definitely made progress but I’m still not where I want to be, advice?

in Progress Pictures 130 upvotes 10 months ago

The user has been using finasteride for 1.5 years and minoxidil for almost 3 years for hair loss, and has seen some maintenance of hair but not significant regrowth. Suggestions from others include switching to dutasteride, trying oral minoxidil, and considering microneedling or hair fibers for better appearance.

community Ru58841 ruined my life. Here’s why.

in Product 127 upvotes 2 years ago

User experienced shortness of breath, high blood pressure, red eyes, and eye floaters after using RU58841 for hair loss. They warn others to avoid RU58841 and stick to finasteride, minoxidil, and dutasteride.

community Is there any point to microneedling if you're on oral minoxidil?

in Microneedling 45 upvotes 1 year ago

Microneedling's effectiveness for hair regrowth is debated, with mixed results from studies. Some believe it helps with blood flow and scalp health, while others see it as largely ineffective.

Related Research

2 / 2 results

research Hair Follicle-Specific Keratins And Their Diseases

138 citations, March 2007 in “Experimental cell research”

Only a few hair-specific keratins are linked to inherited hair disorders.

research Hair Keratin Pattern in Human Hair Follicles Grown In Vitro

29 citations, April 2003 in “Experimental dermatology”

Human hair follicles grown in vitro maintain normal keratin patterns and structure.